Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied claims that he suggested former President Muhammadu Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram.
He clarified after media outlets misinterpreted his remarks at the book launch of former Defence Chief Lucky Irabor.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said:
“The attention of the Office of Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been drawn to misleading reports suggesting that Dr. Jonathan alleged Boko Haram nominated the late President Muhammadu Buhari to represent them in dialogue with the Federal Government.
“We want to clarify that the media grossly misrepresented the former President’s comments. Dr. Jonathan never implied that President Buhari had any connection to Boko Haram or supported the group in any way”
Jonathan explained that his remarks aimed to highlight Boko Haram’s deceptive strategies during its early years.
“Dr. Jonathan explained how Boko Haram manipulated the public by falsely claiming representation and naming prominent Nigerians as mediators without consent”
He further noted that the terrorist group often used well-known public figures to create chaos.
“The point Dr. Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, frequently invoked the names of respected Nigerians to sow confusion, exploit political divisions, and weaken public trust in government. His comments were an illustration of their duplicity, not an accusation against the late President Buhari or anyone else.”
Jonathan affirmed that President Buhari, like all patriotic Nigerians, firmly opposed terrorism and even survived Boko Haram attacks.
He urged the public to ignore false interpretations of his comments and reaffirmed his commitment to peace and national unity.
